Leopold legislation would lift ban on moonlighting officers

The Baltimore Sun

County Executive John R. Leopold announced yesterday that he will introduce emergency legislation to lift a ban prohibiting police officers from taking second jobs at bingo parlors and businesses that serve alcohol.

The move comes about two weeks after a veteran of the county Police Department sued to block an order issued by Chief James Teare Sr., which was based on a county's ethics commission opinion that off-duty jobs at businesses that serve alcohol presented a conflict of interest. Teare rescinded the ban pending the outcome of the case.

"Secondary employment by police officers not only provides much-needed supplemental income, but also increases police presence in the community to help deter crime," Leopold said in a written statement.

The president of the county's Fraternal Order of Police lodge applauded Leopold's move, which would not only allow officers to continue working jobs at restaurants and other entertainment venues with liquor licenses, but also remedies a 2004 ban on employment at bingo parlors.

"This is a win-win for everybody," said union president O'Brien Atkinson. "It's a win for officers, but a big win for citizens of Anne Arundel County. The [off-duty] police officers working in these places answer calls for service and provide backup."

Teare recently contacted Betsy K. Dawson, executive director of the county ethics commission, who recommended a ban. She noted that officers wear their county-issued uniforms while working on behalf of private employers, and that the department has regulatory oversight over such businesses.

With the backing of the union, Cpl. Thomas Middleton sued Teare and the county government and ethics commission on July 11, claiming that "scores" of officers supplement their income by working at department-approved private security positions at businesses that serve alcohol. Middleton said he has earned as much as $14,000 in such jobs and relies on that income to support his family.

Officers are prohibited from working as bouncers or at establishments where alcohol is the primary service.

Justin.fenton@baltsun.com

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